Why do people always complain about politicians.Isn't the problem the hypocrisy and dishonesty of the voters?

Question

(this question is from a UK perspective but 1&2 are probably true in the US)

1. On the one hand voters complain that the politicians don't listen to the public. On the other they complain that they are too influenced by public opinion and 'focus groups' (and are not showing true leadership).

2. Also politicians are accused of only caring about re-election. Doesn't this suggest that if the public voted for only the honest, decent politicians they would all become this way?
The truth is when politicians tell the truth and offer the hard choices, the public don't want to hear it.

3. Furthermore, voters claim that every social ill is the government's responsibility but when they legislate on such issues they are accused of interfering and being the 'Nanny State' (eg ASBOs).

I could name plenty of honest politicians but they are often the least popular (and least successful) because they are the ones saying things people don't want to hear.

An example for 2 is the NHS. Any politician who told the truth about the taxation required to adequately fund a free at the point of delivery service would be committing political suicide. (I work in the NHS and I can tell you that people abuse a free service)

The public want to hear that there is some easy answer without massive increases in tax or increased private involvement.

Answer 1

Your argument would have been sound if there was a fixed idea of 1.What "Public" means, 2. What "Public Opinion" means and 3. What actually constitutes a "focus group."

It is impossible to say as a matter of certainty what the "Public" actually want without defining what "public" means.

Thankfully, I will tell you. It means a majority. This is sometimes given by way of certified polls, by government or independent sources. And as a measure, if it concludes viz: 68% think Tony Blair and his New Labour government are dishonest and 72% say they don't listen and 65% think they are an interfering bunch of 1984 type nannys, then that is the "public" for you. So we are not wrong after all it is a democracy. And you, are in the minority so your views, which are rather fanciful, carry no water.

Answer 2

Point one .... who do you think employs and selects the focus groups ?

Point two ... Firstly, show me an honest politician. They are not below 2nd Hand car salesmen (in terms of trust) without reason. The truth is, politicians only work for other politicians outside of our remit. But I doubt you want to hear that.

Point three ... They ARE the government's responsibility, however the reactionary idiotic behaviour of those that deal with the issues rarely understand what is required. See point one.

And dont start with the NHS, that's just daft ... or are you telling me that the NHS is not the government's responsibility either ? They have had 9 years to work out a way of funding the NHS ... they seem to be able to click their fingers for Trident funding. About time they stopped with the all to obvious undermining of the NHS so they can get their hands on a fat wedge of cash through privitisation.

People generally blame the government as they are seen as the standard, the ideals of which everyone should hope to achieve. But who in their right minds would want to advocate the greed and misuse of power that those politicians have accentuated for their own ends. The creation of an unethical society starts at the top, not the bottom.

Answer 3

I.) When a political leader shows he/she can handle community or society issues, some people feel that they are misled. They want to boss the political leader and bully him/her to follow their ideals, which often leads to bad political choices. For example, President Bush sending troops to Iraq to end terrorism because he is pressured by the American people to do so because of 9/11.

II.) Most people choose their public figures by hearsay. Re-elections are only 1 % of the problem.

Mudslinging advertisements from both political parties influence the people to choose their political candidates indiscriminately. When the U.S. Supreme Court Justice fingers through the paperwork of worldwide negotiations, the public hears nothing about it. It's only brought to light when there is a political controversy going on. When the public doesn't vote carefully, they are forced to live with the consequences of superfluous government spending and war OR disaster crisis.

III.) It is the voter's responsibility for social ills. When they blame the government, they are only blaming themselves. Protesting should be taken to the polls. If people believed in their cause and read carefully the details of all community "propositions and measures", the American country wouldn't be in such a mess.

(This also applies to the UK and other governments as well.)

Answer 4

Because a great majority of the people are pushovers which is why America is in the boat it's in now. You can't sit back idle and passive and then feel you have a right to complain and point the finger at someone else.

If people took an active interest in who governs them (remember a politician is a civil servant and YOU are the civilian!!!) you would have someone who listens to YOU and not the other way around.

When people finally wise up and get involved and make their voices heard (locally to your senators) then you will effect a change.

You have to start from the bottom, and eventually the ripple will be felt all the way to the top.

Answer 5

As long as the general population believes that politicians are OUR BABYSITTERS...the problem will continue indefinitely!

We elect people to represent our views and concerns, but that doesn't mean we just turn every political issue over to them and let them call the shots! Until the majority of the population takes back what is rightfully theirs....which is the power to vote and go to the state capital and address the issues that bother them...more of this same political nonsense will continue.

Ask yourself honestly...does the government belong to YOU? And if your answer is YES...how much are you willing to do to make sure it doesn't fall into "foreign hands" or "in the hands of greedy politicians?"

Answer 6

1. This is driven by who you agree with; if you disagree with a decision, you complain that he doesn't listen if the public is also opposed, or you complain that he is too influenced by public opinion of the public agrees.

2. You can just try, I know of a few honest decent people who were elected to office then just quit because they couldn't keep their integrity and still continue in office.

So no, I do not blame the voters.

Answer 7

Are you a politician? Theres no way to justify self gratifying and self serving ministers who care nothing for their own constituents and public opinion - untill polling day!

You forget they promise the earth to get elected, then do the complete opposite when trusted with the power to govern.

Answer 8

I agree. Government are in a tricky place of nannying/ ignoring issues - they have to strike a balance and its easy for people to knock it.

Also, I remember Blair being constantly berated for focus groups and biwing to public pressure. Now, he is being berated for arrogance and ignoring public opinion. I'm no advocate of Blair but you can't please everybody.

As for the voterds not voting for honest politicians, next time I;m confronted with a list in the ballot box, can you let me know which are the honest ones?

Answer 9

Why are you always blaming Americans? When the problem is the big VOID in the US democratic system = allowing Illegals to buy US media (Fox News)

Rupert Murdoch bought his US Citizenship for $1 while taking care of H. Clinton

Answer 10

No, the problem is the politicians will say what ever it takes to get into office, and then once they're in they spend all their time lining their pockets and their friends pockets with cash; and they do nothing to line the voters pockets with cash.